Gable Accident

[Jeff Breen]

Craig & Adam were first on the scene at the tradgedy on Gable crag on Sunday. A terrible accident and and awful experience for Craig & Adam. I hope you are not too shook up lads, and lets all hope the second guy survives. See the link for Craigs note on UKC Forums.
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=392625
Jeff

[RobS]

That's not a nice thing to hear of, let alone be part of. Glad to hear they're OK and the 2nd guy is still with us. Thought provoking comment on mobile phone coverage, any cloud cover and they could have been a lot longer getting a signal out. And of course Adam has far more medical training than the rest of us...

Hmm not necessarily a safe hobby this winter climbing lark..

[skinnykin]

Hmm not necessarily a safe hobby this winter climbing lark..

Neither is summer climbing.....
"The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement."

[Craig McMahon]

No-one is saying that rock climbing/fell walking dont have there risks Kin. All rob is rightly saying is that theres more danger in winter climbing.....and this is obvious due to the factors that are outside of our control or judgement.

[jdal]

Sorry to hear about the incident Craig & Adam. You two guys did well, not only in helping the victims but also in having the nous to back off a mountain route when you weren't happy with it. I'm not saying that's what happened with the two poor guys who had the accident, but having the judgment to know when it's right for you personally to back off is a vital skill.

[skinnykin]

No-one is saying that rock climbing/fell walking dont have there risks Kin. All rob is rightly saying is that theres more danger in winter climbing.....and this is obvious due to the factors that are outside of our control or judgement.

I understand what you're saying BUT.... Rob tended to imply rock climbing is safe or safer. It's not the case. It is only correct to put it that rock climbing/summer mountaineering activities have fewer objective dangers and winter climbing has more, not by many BUT it's not outside of our judgement. As you get to know more initmately about the snow and ice, you'll develop the 'required' judgement to travel safely in winter just as you'd in summer. The reason winter conditions are more alien to us because we only spend 3 months of the year at most to play with. Whereas we spend the other 9 or more months on rock and climbing walls. It means we understand rock more than we know about snow and ice, which translates into the 'more dangerous' feel to winter (subjective dangers).

[RobS]

Bollocks - I said nothing of the sort.

You often choose to put whatever intepretation you want on other peoples posts. For the record I agree with Jeff on the Kinlochleven thread. Despite your obvious skils and experiences I find I have to ignore most of what you post.

[ian]

Guys if you want to discuss winter safety can you please start a new thread and not post in this one; I understand accident reports can cause discussions to arise but it's important to show respect.
You are representing your club on a public forum.
Thanks.